Bottle or breast feed?

[justanotheryoungmother]

Hello everyone,

I'm currently pregnant with my first child, almost six months, and I haven't decided if I will breast or bottle feed.
My midwife keeps advocating breastfeeding, whilst my mum is against it because it'll allegedly ruin the shape of my breasts (I'm 19), and she doesn't want them to get ruined.
My boyfriend (not sure what the Mumsnet terminology is yet) would like me to breastfeed as apparently that has nutrients that formula milk doesn't have, but I'm not convinced that's him trying to avoid night feeds
I'm not really asking about the scientific benefits to either, as I can find that out, but can people let me know what their personal experiences were/are with either? One thing I'm concerned about is having to be careful about what I eat if I breast fed- don't get me wrong, I'm not planning on drinking with a newborn at all but there are foods that I'd still have to be careful about, which seems a hassle.

Any opinions welcome

[Becciilouisex3]

Reallyanotherone haven't you seen the Avent/Tommee Tippee starter kits? One for bottle feeding and one for breast. Very similar except you get a breast pump with the breastfeeding kit and some breastfeeding pads. I never bought the bottle feeding one so I don't know if there's any other differences because I planned to breastfeed and just bought the bottles when it didnt work out. There's a steriliser as well.

I did share my experience with breastfeeding earlier in the post and was just sharing useful gadgets if she decides to bottle feed which I would have valued knowing about before I gave birth. Unfortunately I never looked into bottle feeding because I was adamant I was breastfeeding.

[Becciilouisex3]

Not sure why the snotty replies from some I was simply stating the useful things she could get. Not saying she needs them but providing her with some helpful information incase she may want one that's all.

*I was simply stating that breastfeeding starter kits exist should she want one.
*
That's not what I've called them, that's what they're called.

Just a fancy name for a box full of starter bottle, electric steriliser, selection of tests, few breast pads and a breast pump that's all.

[ThatsWotSheSaid]

I'd say give breastfeeding a go. Best case scenario it works like a dream. Worst case it doesn't work for you but you know you tried and the baby will have had a bit of colostrum! Win-win!

[Scrounged]

| Becciilouisex3. I don't think the replies were snotty at all.

[Irie1982]

I breastfed both my children. It can be challenging at times but it's absolutely key to get the right support - get in touch with a breastfeeding consultant NOW and have a chat - having someone there to visit you in the first few days and give you the reassurance and answers you may need can make or break a breastfeeding relationship.

There is no comparison between breastmilk and formula (before I get lamped, I had to supplement pumped milk with formula as due to tongue tie, my son wasn't a great feeder) - so I will echo what 'Thatswhatshesaid' said - give it a shot, get the right support and if you do decide ultimately that it's not for you, at least baba will have had some of the super-nutritious colostrum!!!

Best of luck and congrats :)

[Becciilouisex3]

Scrounged maybe I read them in the wrong context but that's how it came across in some of the posts, to me anyway

[Mermaid36]

I'm currently breastfeeding twins (who were born 14 weeks early) and honestly, boobs are a godsend!
I'm way too lazy to do bottles/formula, and having 2 screaming babies waiting for bottles isn't my idea of fun!
Plus, I have enough crap to take out and about with me for 2 babies without having to cart bottles etc around. Much easier to just pop a boob out!
Today I've fed my girls in a hospital waiting room, Costa Coffee, and Ikea. It was dead easy to calm them down after they had bloods taken in hospital - boob!

[Imaginosity]

I do both. Two bottle a day and breastfeed the rest of the time. I give the bottles at times where I'd like to get a break from the baby. I cosleep and breastfeed while I'm half asleep which means we both get a good nights sleep.

[Deadsouls]

I breastfed both mine as I didn't have any problems with it and it was always the obvious choice for me. TBH I don't think worrying about the shape of your breasts is a good reason not to breastfeed.
You could try it and if it doesn't work use formula after a few weeks.

[RedastheRose]

You really need to see what you feel like doing and not let anyone tell you what to do.

Although I would say that not bf because it could effect the shape of your boobs is going a bit far! Also being pregnant and your milk coming in does that anyway.

Your boyfriend is right about the health benefits of bf too which are widely reported.

The biggest thing I would say is that bf is soooo much easier once you get into the swing of it. If it works for you then you can just pop off with baby anywhere with only a few wipes and a couple of nappies in a bag and you always have dinner for baby ready on tap and at the right temperature when the baby decides she/he is hungry. So no stress of waiting to make up bottles and warm them etc while the baby screams because especially when they are very little they go from being ok to ravenously hungry with very little in between 😄

But I would also say that if you don't want to bf or if you give it a go and don't like it then don't fell bad or that you've failed because that is simply not true. Plenty of people don't bf for all sorts of reasons and if it doesn't work for you then bottle feeding is just fine too.

Btw just because you are bf doesn't mean that your boyfriend can't take a turn with the night feeds. If you do go with bf then you should try and express some milk each day and pop it in the fridge then your boyfriend can take a turn at night when you need your sleep (which you definitely will need).

Good luck with whatever you decide.